How To Ease Anxiety With 8 Self-Care Habits
Over the past three years, mental health issues have come to the forefront of everybody’s minds. The devastating loss of lives, employment, and homelessness resulting from the pandemic has increased exponentially all over the world. It’s no wonder we need to take stock of our feelings and make time to ease anxiety in order to cope with our own everyday lives.
If you are one of the ‘lucky’ ones not to have experienced Covid-19 first-hand, it would be unusual not to know someone who has suffered loss or deteriorating health due to this disease. While you may not have experienced it personally, you can see and feel the toll it has taken on people around you. As much as you don’t want to admit it, it does have an effect on our everyday lives.
Through news stories around the world, I notice this trend more and more. As supply chains break down due to the Coronavirus pandemic and climate disasters, people are increasingly turning to locally sourced food, as an example. This is not only a way to support their local economy but also a way to ensure they have access to fresh, safe food. Not everything we used to be able to obtain is available when we want it.
This is why it is more critical than ever to take a bit of time out of our day to focus on our own well-being. The suggestions below are some of the ways I find help me to unwind.
Here is a list of how to ease anxiety with 8 self-care habits:
Call a Friend
Talking things through with someone you trust can make a difference in your mood for the better. It can be helpful to voice your feelings because sometimes when you hear yourself, you realise the problem might not be as serious as you thought it was.
Admitting you are anxious takes away the feeling that you are keeping a secret. This in itself will feel like a relief when you say it out loud. If you have a therapist and can get an appointment sooner rather than later, then absolutely make that appointment.Get Physical
Getting out in the fresh air to take a walk in the park or the beach is highly recommended by experts. This will help you to clear your head and pull you out of the funk you might find yourself in at home.
If you follow an exercise routine, this would be a good time to do some stretching or yoga to get you focused on your breathing. Taking deep breaths helps to reduce feelings of anxiety too. It does this by increasing oxygen to your brain, thereby stimulating the nervous system, which promotes a state of calmness.Make an Entry in Your Journal
Some people find writing their feelings on paper is another way to transfer thoughts out of their heads in order to relieve anxious thoughts. This is also a helpful way to not feel so overwhelmed by anxiety and to look back at where you came from.
Jot down a win from the day. It could be something simple like “I ate a nutritious breakfast,” or “I got to see my grandma today.” A win means you are making progress. Add in what you are grateful for too. See the next point.Be Grateful
This is a very effective way to shift the focus to what is positive in your life and the things that make you happy. It could be simple things like watching dogs play in the park (if you’re a dog person) or hearing birds chirping outside your window.
Other things you could be grateful for are a warm bed to sleep in and a roof over your head. Whatever you are grateful for, jot it down in a journal and from time to time, it’s fascinating to glance back over the pages and re-read what you have written.Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness grounds you and brings you into the present by focusing on your breathing and your surroundings. You can do this at home or sitting on a park bench. Wherever you choose to practice mindfulness, notice the place where you are and be present for a few minutes. This helps to ease anxiety.
Establish a Healthy Sleep Routine
We are all guilty of chilling with Netflix or checking our phones when we crawl into bed. An effective step to having a healthy and restful sleep is to not take electronics into the bedroom, especially if you keep checking social media till you fall asleep.
When you are ready for sleep, that is when you leave your phone or laptop in the living room. Getting to bed at the same time each night is recommended to establish a healthy sleep routine. This self-care habit alone is priceless.Limit Your Time on Social Media
If you are experiencing feelings of anxiety there is a strong possibility that social media has triggered your state. Of course, it is not only social media that triggers anxiety. It could be something someone said or something you saw while shopping or something shared on the timeline that gives you that feeling of dread.
This feeling gets stuck in your head so you find it difficult to cope with. Be aware of the time you spend ‘doom scrolling’ if you are prone to anxiety attacks and know your boundaries. Limit your time accordingly.Treat Yourself
Nothing makes me feel better than doing something for me. Do you know the feeling of purchasing a new book to read or a pair of shoes or a handbag? Beauty treatments like a facial or a manicure might do wonders for you.
It could be something small like buying ingredients for your favourite meal or even just buying your favourite ice cream, or heading to the movies. Whatever it is that makes you happy, do it and enjoy the moment.
The Importance of Self-Care Habits
Sometimes it doesn’t take much to ease anxiety and sometimes, we need a little extra help which is nothing to be ashamed of. The importance of self-care habits is absolutely something we each need to focus on and be sure to set time aside each day to follow through with the above suggestions to help ease anxiety.
If you have tried any of the above routines or have any other suggestions or habits you know of that help ease anxiety, comment below. You can also share with us how you get through your times of feeling overwhelmed. Most of all, take care.
NB: This article should be used for informative and educational purposes only and is not intended to be taken as expert advice. If you’re concerned, consult a health professional. The link to the website below has an extensive list of international helplines for immediate assistance if you are seeking to speak to someone presently.